Abstract: A friction clutch mechanism includes a diaphragm spring, a pressure plate having a peripheral fulcrum acting against a first face of the diaphragm spring, and a pair of axially opposed intermediate fulcrums supported by a clutch cover and acting on the opposite faces of the diaphragm spring along a radially intermediate portion thereof. The friction clutch mechanism has an additional elastic element, operatively associated with a first intermediate fulcrum of the pair of axially opposed intermediate fulcrums, and axially and elastically compressible in response to a deflection of the diaphragm spring towards an open friction condition. The additional elastic element has a radially innermost annular portion resting on one or more bearing surfaces supported by the clutch cover, and a radially outermost annular portion that cantilevers and has a protrusion circumferentially extended and axially projecting towards the first face of the diaphragm spring to serve as the first intermediate fulcrum.

Abstract: A ramp actuator has a pivotable ramp disc, which on a first end face has at least one ramp, which is prepared for the rolling of a rolling body and, spaced apart therefrom, has a raceway for bearing rolling bodies of a rolling bearing prepared to receive radial and axial forces. A bearing ring can be fixed on a shaft, wherein the ratio of the axial width of the ramp disc relative to the support height thereof is between 2.9 and 4.1 and the ratio between the ramp radius of the ramp of the ramp disc relative to the support height of the ramp disc is between 0.7 and 1.3. A method for producing a ramp disc for such a ramp actuator includes drawing, upset forging and embossing, preferably carried out in that order.

Abstract: A clutch drive apparatus includes a clutch actuator and a drive force transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force of the clutch actuator to the clutch. The drive force transmission mechanism includes a case body and a case cover that is closed on the case body and supports the clutch actuator and a worm shaft. An opening is formed in the case cover to expose a marker member that determines a reference position of an auxiliary elastic body. A maintenance lid for covering the opening is mounted in a vehicle head pipe.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly connects driving and driven shafts and has a pressure plate axially moveable between an engaged position transmitting torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft and a disengaged position. The assembly includes levers and a plurality of centrifugal-assist weights on the levers adjacent outer ends of the levers. The centrifugal-assist weights are arranged to apply an increased force urging the pressure plate to its engaged position upon rotation of the cover and the levers. The centrifugal-assist weights are suitably configured to provided the desired amount of increased force.

Abstract: A clutch adapted for use to move media in an image forming apparatus having an independently rotatable first race, an independently rotatable second race, and an open central section within the interior of the first and second races. The clutch has a bearing movable between an engaged position in simultaneously contact with the first and second races to transmit a rotational torque from the first race to the second race and a second disengaged position moveable through the open central section. During torque transmission, the bearing simultaneously engages one of a plurality of spaced-apart fins disposed around the open central section on the first race and one of a plurality of spaced-apart catches on the second race disposed outside of the plurality of fins.

Abstract: A one-way clutch. The one-way clutch includes a passive member, an active member, and a rolling member. The passive member has an outer circumferential surface and a sliding portion. The sliding portion extends from the outer circumferential surface to the interior of the passive member and has a first plane surface and a second plane surface. The first plane surface is opposite to the second plane surface. The first plane surface is not parallel to the second plane surface. The active member is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the passive member and has an inner circumferential surface and an engaging portion. The inner circumferential is surface is in slidable contact with the outer circumferential surface of the passive member. The engaging portion extends from the inner circumferential surface to the interior of the active member. The rolling member rolls and slides between the sliding portion and the engaging portion.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for motorcycles employs a cam-actuating mechanism having multiple rows of centrifugal force-responsive cam members of a selected density and size to force a series of clutch plates into clutching engagement over the shortest possible distance and least possible speed of rotation while assuring ease of positive engagement of the clutch members in response slight increases in speed of rotation. The cam-actuating mechanism can be employed with a manual override mechanism to manually control locking and release of the clutch members as well as utilizing a torque limiter to absorb shock loads without unduly increasing the size of the clutch so that it will readily fit into the space occupied by existing or standard clutch mechanisms.